A contrast of honor – military and Armstrong

If the 57 percent to be shelled out to the teachers were retained for student-oriented improvements, then maybe there would be sufficient funding to not have those “deep cuts” next year!

Folks, we got snookered on two counts, i.e., Prop. 30 and Prop. Z. How does one recall a school board? – Lou Cumming, La Jolla

Pharmacies are remedy for pot dispensaries

In response to “How to do medical marijuana right” (Opinion, Jan. 14): Why can’t specifically selected existing pharmacies by the dispensaries of medical marijuana? There is a reason we call them “drugstores”: Their pharmacists are licensed and trained to dispense drugs.

The limitations on dispensing marijuana seem to be no more difficult to work with than those for other prescription drugs, i.e., the patient must be known to the prescribing physician, must have a specific disease for which the drug (in this case, marijuana) is prescribed, and there are limits on how much can be legally prescribed.

Why do we need separate dispensaries? If we trust existing (regulated) pharmacists to dispense OxyContin, Vicodin and a multitude of other addictive drugs, why can’t they be relied on to dispense medical marijuana?

That appears to me to be the professional, practical, cost-saving, easily regulated answer.

Why not? – Louisiana Dalton, San Diego

Kudos to your editorial board for the article “How to do medical marijuana right.” Ninety-nine percent of the advocates for legalization are against marketing it as a drug for chronic pain, comparable to Vicodin or codeine, to which they compare it. Rather, they want to market it as is aspirin or Tylenol, to which there is no comparison.

If we want to legalize recreational marijuana, then let’s legalize it as “recreational marijuana” and quit trying to fool the public (and perhaps the mayor) by misrepresenting its real purpose.

Connecticut and New Jersey have done the right thing by including strict marketing laws to allow those who have a legitimate need for the drug access while controlling access to addicts, minors and recreational users. – Jerry Christensen, Ramona

Educational process involves everyone

In response to “Should teachers be graded?” (Opinion, SD in Depth, Jan. 13): Of course we need to evaluate teachers just like any employee, but we spend so little time, money and common sense trying to get it right.

We need to look at the whole picture. Classroom sizes are increasing, [and there are] more demands on teachers with less resources and support. It’s like saying, “Here’s a spoon; go dig the Suez Canal.”

Every citizen should be engaged in our educational process. This is the future of our society. If you’re a parent, get out of work one day and sit in that classroom and really see – “How is my child doing?” Or talk to his/her teacher. It will really open your eyes. If there are issues you can collaborate with the teacher to enact a successful joint strategy. Involve your family, praise your kids – believe me if you put in the effort your child will learn to value education more! Of course, if the teacher is not doing her job, parents can let the administration know.